HHS BUDGET FOR HIV/AIDS INCREASES 8 PERCENT
Targets Expanded Efforts on Research
President Bush's budget plan for fiscal year 2003 includes a
total of $12.9 billion to fight HIV and AIDS -- an increase
of $906 million, or 8 percent, over the current year's appropriation,
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced today.
"We must do more to prevent and treat this terrible disease,
which continues to ravage the lives of millions of people
in America and around the world," Secretary Thompson said.
"We are leading the world on AIDS research and doing our part
to stem the tide of this global epidemic."
Under the President's budget plan, HHS would receive a total
of $12.9 billion to fund its HIV/AIDS programs. Specifically,
HHS' proposed fiscal year 2003 budget supports:
- Research into vaccines and treatment. HHS'
budget allocates $2.8 billion to the National Institutes
of Health (NIH) for research on HIV and AIDS -- a $255 million,
or 10 percent increase, above the current year's funding
level. The NIH budget includes $422 million for AIDS
vaccine research -- a 24 percent increase over the previous
year and nearly triple the fiscal year 1998 funding level.
- Stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. HHS' budget
includes $939 million for the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) to stop the disease's spread -- about
the same as provided for in the fiscal year 2002 budget.
Of those resources, CDC would devote $795 million to support
HIV prevention programs in the United States, including
efforts to reducing the number of people at high risk for
acquiring or transmitting the virus; increasing HIV testing
efforts; linking infected individuals with appropriate care
and treatment; and strengthening the nation's ability to
monitor the epidemic and respond effectively. In addition,
CDC would dedicate $144 million to promote prevention strategies
and programs across the globe, including expanded efforts
in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
- Improving efforts to care for those living with HIV/AIDS.
HHS' budget would allocate $1.9 billion -- the same as the
current year -- to fund Ryan White treatment programs, which
would continue to provide care and services to an estimated
500,000 Americans. About $639 million of this funding
would be available for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program,
which provides medications to about 85,000 people.
Ryan White spending has grown rapidly in recent years, up
about 66 percent since fiscal year 1998.
- Helping international efforts to fight HIV/AIDS.
HHS' portion of the President's budget includes $100 million
for the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Maleria and Tuberculosis
-- bringing HHS' two-year contribution up to $200 million.
The U.S. Agency for International Development also would
contribute $100 million in fiscal year 2003. With
these new contributions, the United States will have met
its commitment of $500 million for this effort.
- Addressing HIV/AIDS among minorities. HHS'
budget would allocate $410 million for efforts targeted
specifically at reducing the disproportionate impact of
HIV/AIDS on racial and ethnic minorities. This includes
$105 million to expand treatment and services at the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and $50
million for the Minorities Community Fund support infrastructure
development, technical assistance, prevention and treatment
strategies and education in affected communities, as well
as $124 million under the Ryan White program, $116 million
for community-based prevention activities at the CDC, and
other resources at the NIH and other HHS offices and agencies.
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